The Causeway Coast & Glens: A Walker’s Guide Benbane Head, Causeway Coast Way Alistair Hamill Photography Contents: Page Introduction: A Walker’s Guide ............................... 01 1. Overview of the Causeway Coast and Glens ................ 02 2. Map of the Causeway Coast and Glens ..................... 03 3. Walking Itineraries ...................................... 04 • 3.1 Causeway Coast Way .............................. 05 • 3.2 Causeway Coast Highlights.......................... 09 • 3.3 Antrim Hills Way .................................. 12 4. Other Walking Options ................................... 15 5. Specialist Walking Providers .............................. 15 Introduction: A Walker’s Guide 6. Festivals............................................... 16 “Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature’s peace 7. What else to do in the Causeway Coast and Glens ........... 17 will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will 8. Transport around the Causeway Coast and Glens ............ 18 blow their own freshness into you and the storms their energy, John Muir 9. Further Information on walking in the Causeway Coast ....... 19 while cares will drop off like autumn leaves.” and Glens • 9.1 Access and Protection.............................. 19 Recreational walking is an outdoor pursuit experience and we are proud of having four - The Causeway Coast and Glens Heritage Trust........ 19 enjoyed by millions of people throughout the distinctive seasons, each bringing their own - Leave No Trace.................................. 20 world and Northern Ireland is widely recognised inspirations. • 9.2 Outdoor Shops . 20 as an attractive destination with tremendous • 9.3 Maps for the The Causeway Coast and Glens .......... 20 opportunities for unparalleled walking. Spectacular Northern Ireland is rapidly becoming a ‘must • 9.4 Visitor Information................................. 21 scenery with a diversity of landscape and physical see’ destination on the world map and in turn, features offer a simply unique walking experience. some incredible landscapes are being revealed 10. Getting to the Causeway Coast and Glens .................. 21 to walkers of all ages and abilities. Deceptively, • 10.1 From the Republic of Ireland ........................ 21 John Muir’s quote above typifies what walking this ‘wee’ country has numerous walking areas • 10.2 From Great Britain ................................. 22 in Ireland is all about. This ‘Walker’s Guide’ is each offering their own distinctive take on natural not going to ‘glam up’ our key walking areas by beauty. From the rugged cliffs of the North Antrim Also available is The Mourne Mountains: A Walker’s Guide. This guide will outline the key walking areas in claiming that visitors need not pack anything Coast to the rounded summits and lush pastoral Northern Ireland’s highest mountain range, offering 5 varied itineraries sampling the best hillwalking the Mournes have to offer. other than shorts and t-shirts! Similarly we’re not valleys of the Sperrin Mountains, Northern Ireland looking to avoid any possible negative issues, really is a walker’s paradise if you know where to such as access limitations to certain walks. Rather, look! this document is designed to be an informative walker’s guide to enable visitors to better enjoy This Walker’s Guide will give you enough the natural beauty of Ireland’s dramatic, rugged information to enable you to plan your walking landscape all year round. Our ever-changing trip and make your own discoveries in The natural environment shapes the Irish walking Causeway Coast and Glens. THE CAUSEWAY COAST & GLENS THE CAUSEWAY COAST & GLENS RATHLIN ISLAND GIANT’S CARRICK-A-REDE CAUSEWAY ROPE BRIDGE DUNLUCE CASTLE A2 BALLYCASTLE TORR HEAD BUSHMILLS PORTRUSH PORTSTEWART CASTLEWELLAN A2 COLERAINE M CUSHENDUN MAGHERA Binevenagh A37 CUSHENDALL Mournes Map BALLYMONEY BRYANSFORD Triangle to symbolize the key peaks LIMAVADY GLENS OF ANTRI Tollymore CARNLOUGH Forest Park NEWCASTLE Include meelmore and GLENARIFF meelbeg, eagle, pigeon, A54 FOREST PARK Slieve hen A43 Meelmore Commedagh Include silent valley, bloody A26 GLENARM bridge Meelbeg Slieve Slieve Bearnagh Donard Spelga View from top of Lurigethan Mountain overlooking Glenariff Hen Dam Ben BLOODY A42 Crom Slievelamagan BRIDGE Slemish Pigeon BALLYMENA LARNE Slieve Slieve A6 Muck Binnian Eagle The Causeway Coast and Glens Silent When walking in the The Causeway Coast and Glens use the Ordance Survey Valley Northern Ireland (OSNI) ‘Glens of Antrim’ and ‘Causeway Coast and Rathlin Island’ “The grandeur of the rugged North Antrim Coast and the deep glens Activity Maps 1:25 000 available from OSNI. Also available for walking in the set against the pastoral farmland create other worlds away from Causeway Coast are the OSNI sheets 4 & 5 1:50 000. You can also purchase these ANNALONG maps in most of the Visitor Information Centres, see page 21. ROSTREVOR ATTICAL busy life.” Dawson Stelfox, first Irishman to summit Everest. Rostrevor Forest The Causeway Coast and Glens are justifiably from the crowds and the opportunity to lose famous for the Giant’s Causeway, wonderful yourself in the history and geology of an area which coastlines and a unique natural beauty. The area has inspired countless myths and legends. Walking includes 3 designated areas of outstanding natural on the Causeway Coast is mostly on relatively flat beauty, nine glens including Glenariff the ‘Queen coastal paths and trails. Routes are linear with good of the Glens’, lush forest parks, secluded coastal transport and accommodation options. tracks and numerous quaint fishing villages. Exploring this world famous landscape on foot not only enables you to engage first hand with a breath-taking coastline; it also offers an escape 02 | walkni.com walkni.com | 03 THE CAUSEWAY COAST & GLENS THE CAUSEWAY COAST & GLENS Walking Itineraries ‘Causeway Coast Way’ 33 miles (53 km) There are many Quality Walks in the Causeway Coast and Glens area as part of the Quality Walk Scheme, This 2 day long-distance linear route, from accommodating all levels of fitness. Whilst the coastal walks on the Causeway Coast are stunning and Portstewart to Ballycastle, passes through the very popular, there is also some excellent hillwalking in the Antrim Hills and Binevenagh, as well as Causeway Coast Area of Outstanding Natural wonderful walks around Glenariff Forest. Beauty, several Areas of Special Scientific Interest and of course the Giant’s Causeway, a UNESCO The WalkNI team have put their heads together and designed a variety of walking itineraries to enable World Heritage Site. This route also passes the iconic visitors to get the best out of a short break in The Causeway Coast and Glens. We have put together Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge and the spectacular ruins 3 itineraries of what we judge to be the best walking in The Causeway Coast and Glens. There are of of Dunluce Castle. From sandy beaches to cliff-top course many other combinations of walks and part of the joy of recreational walking is mixing and paths, from natural heritage to unique geological matching routes to create your own personal adventures. Use these itineraries as a guide. sites, this 33 mile (53 km) section of the Ulster Way is one of the finest coastal walks in Europe. The 3 suggested walking itineraries are: Don’t just take our word for it. Check out some of the comments left by walkers on our WalkNI page. • Causeway Coast Way Full Route Description, Photos and Ordnance Survey Maps This 2 day long-distance linear route, from Portstewart to Ballycastle, passes through the Causeway Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, several Areas of Special Scientific Interest and of course If you are walking the Causeway Coast Way use Sheet 4 and 5 of the OSNI Discovery Series 1:50 000 the Giant’s Causeway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Staying in coastal towns of Portstewart, available from local Visitor Information Centres (see page 21) or visit OSNI Bushmills and Ballintoy, this 33 mile (53km) walk offers unparalleled views of the Atlantic Ocean, dramatic cliffs, sandy beaches and off-shore rocks. This really is one of Northern Ireland’s iconic Download your free Causeway Coast Way Guide walks. • Causeway Coast Highlights A 3 day itinerary walking the best routes along the Causeway Coast and 1 day on Rathlin Island, reached by ferry. Bushmills provides a good base for the 2 days of coastal walking, with 1 night on Rathlin Island. Walkers can either use public transport to reach their start point and walk back or can set off from Bushmills and get public transport home again. Either option enables walkers to enjoy the spectacular Causeway Coast highlights in 2 relaxed days with a further day’s walking on Rathlin Island. Start Point: Portstewart • Antrim Hills Way The route starts at Portstewart Strand with the nearest accommodation in Portstewart town. There is a The Antrim Hills Way is a 2 day, 27 mile (43km) linear route through the Antrim Hills. The walk cuts wide range of accommodation here however we recommend the following B&Bs and Guest Houses as a scenic route through the Antrim Coast and Glens Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It explores a the most suitable for walkers and walking groups. A full list of accommodation can be found at high coastal plateau and encompasses some of the most enjoyable upland walking in County Antrim. www.visitcausewaycoastandglens.com and www.discovernorthernireland.com. Dramatic scenery, isolated hills and fantastic history are just some of the treats on offer. Walkers set off from Glenarm with Linford as the half way point. We have listed a number of accommodation providers who provide transfers to and from Linford and Slemish (end point for this walk). Nearest Town Name Phone Website Accommodation Type or Village Carnalbanagh Portstewart +44 (0)28 7083 6294 www.carnban.com A rural B&B less than 2 miles (3km) House from Portstewart – 7 rooms. Cromore Halt Portstewart +44 (0)28 7083 6888 www.cromorehalt.co.uk Guest Inn with 12 rooms. Guest Inn Restaurant also. Cul Erg Portstewart +44 (0)28 7083 6610 www.culerg.co.uk B&B two minute walk from promenade - 10 rooms.